📊 WLK Key Takeaways
Is Westlake Corp. (WLK) a Good Investment?
Westlake is experiencing severe operational deterioration with a $1.6B operating loss, negative free cash flow of $530M, and inability to cover interest expenses from operations (-19.5x coverage). Despite adequate liquidity and moderate leverage providing a near-term buffer, the company's declining revenue, negative profitability across all metrics, and CapEx commitments exceeding operating cash flow indicate fundamental financial distress requiring significant operational improvement.
Why Buy Westlake Corp. Stock? WLK Key Strengths
- Adequate liquidity position with $2.7B cash and 2.24x current ratio provides near-term financial flexibility
- Positive operating cash flow of $465M in absolute terms despite net losses shows some core operational cash generation
- Moderate leverage at 0.64x debt-to-equity with $8.8B equity cushion delays immediate solvency risk
WLK Stock Risks: Westlake Corp. Investment Risks
- Negative operating income of $1.6B with -14.1% operating margin indicates fundamental operational failure
- Negative free cash flow of $530M unsustainable; high CapEx exceeds operating cash flow, requiring cash burn
- Interest coverage ratio of -19.5x means company cannot service debt from operations, relying entirely on cash reserves
- Revenue declining 8% YoY coupled with 7.3% gross margin and negative profitability suggests cyclical downturn or structural deterioration
- Diluted EPS deteriorated 352% YoY; high insider activity (22 Form 4 filings) may signal management confidence or distress responses
Key Metrics to Watch
- Operating margin recovery to positive - critical inflection point for operational viability
- Free cash flow trajectory - must achieve positive FCF before cash reserves deplete significantly
- Revenue stabilization and gross margin expansion - foundational requirements for profitability recovery
- Cash balance depletion rate and debt covenant compliance status
Westlake Corp. (WLK) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
Strong liquidity with a 2.24x current ratio provides a solid financial cushion.
WLK Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
WLK vs Materials Sector: How Westlake Corp. Compares
How Westlake Corp. compares to Materials sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is Westlake Corp. Stock Overvalued? WLK Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, Westlake Corp. shows some fundamental concerns relative to the Materials sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
Westlake Corp. Balance Sheet: WLK Debt, Cash & Liquidity
WLK Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: Westlake Corp.'s revenue has shown modest growth of 7% over the 5-year period. The most recent EPS of $3.70 reflects profitable operations.
WLK Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
WLK Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $2.8B | $108.0M | $0.83 |
| Q2 2025 | $3.0B | -$142.0M | $-1.11 |
| Q1 2025 | $2.8B | -$40.0M | $-0.31 |
| Q3 2024 | $3.1B | $108.0M | $0.83 |
| Q2 2024 | $3.2B | $297.0M | $2.31 |
| Q1 2024 | $3.0B | $174.0M | $1.34 |
| Q3 2023 | $3.1B | $285.0M | $2.20 |
| Q2 2023 | $3.3B | $297.0M | $2.31 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
Westlake Corp. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
WLK SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Westlake Corp. (CIK: 0001262823)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about WLK
What is the AI rating for WLK?
Westlake Corp. (WLK) has an AI rating of STRONG SELL with 85% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are WLK's key strengths?
Claude: Adequate liquidity position with $2.7B cash and 2.24x current ratio provides near-term financial flexibility. Positive operating cash flow of $465M in absolute terms despite net losses shows some core operational cash generation.
What are the risks of investing in WLK?
Claude: Negative operating income of $1.6B with -14.1% operating margin indicates fundamental operational failure. Negative free cash flow of $530M unsustainable; high CapEx exceeds operating cash flow, requiring cash burn.
What is WLK's revenue and growth?
Westlake Corp. reported revenue of $11.2B.
Does WLK pay dividends?
Westlake Corp. pays dividends, with $272.0M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find WLK SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for Westlake Corp. (CIK: 0001262823) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is WLK's EPS?
Westlake Corp. has a diluted EPS of $-11.70.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is WLK a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, Westlake Corp. has a STRONG SELL rating with 85% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.
Is WLK stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for WLK: ROE of -17.2% (sector avg: 14%), net margin of -13.5% (sector avg: 10%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
Should I buy WLK stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives Westlake Corp. a combined STRONG SELL rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is WLK's free cash flow?
Westlake Corp.'s operating cash flow is $465.0M, with capital expenditures of $995.0M. FCF margin is -4.7%.
How does WLK compare to other Materials stocks?
Vs Materials sector averages: Net margin -13.5% (avg: 10%), ROE -17.2% (avg: 14%), current ratio 2.24 (avg: 1.6).